Wideband Metamaterial Antennas Integrated into Composite Structures

A team led by NextGen Aeronautics Inc., and working with San Diego State University proposes the development of redundant wideband antennas that are embedded in composite armor structures The planned work builds upon the team’s extensive prior experience in conformal load-bearing antenna structures (CLAS), antenna design, and metamaterials. The proposed antenna is a combination of concepts that have already been designed and tested for different purposes, and have proven their capacity to operate under the determined conditions while meeting solicitation requirements. At the end of Phase I base period, we will have simulations of various antenna designs, configurations, and materials pointing to a combination that works optimally with the baseline composite structure chosen, as well as a list of different materials and their impact on the design. This research will also determine the frequencies, bandwidth and waveforms to which this technology is most applicable. Further efforts in the Phase I option will include fabricating and testing a mockup antenna.